Indonesia Takes Action to Save Forests and Orangutans

Indonesian Minister of Forests bans trading of the tree species, ramin, (Gonystylus spp), in an attempt to preserve Indonesian forests and protect the habitat of the seriously endangered orang utan

Following repeated reports of commercial illegal logging in world-renowned Tanjung Puting National Park in Indonesia which has seriously endangered orang utans and other primates, the Indonesian Minister of Forests, Marzuki Usman, has banned the domestic and international trade in a valuable Indonesian tree species called ramin (Gonystylus spp).

The reports by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Telapak Indonesia identified ramin as a key timber species being extracted illegally from the Park. "This ramin ban is cautiously welcomed by EIA and Telapak" stated Julian Newman, EIA Senior Campaigner in London today. "It is the first step towards stopping the destruction of Tanjung Puting National Park and protecting the endangered orang utans. Now we wait to see if the Indonesian government will enforce this ban."

Orang utan numbers have plummeted across their range in Indonesia and Malaysia largely due to destruction of their habitat. Orang utans favour the lowland regions of the islands of Borneo and Sumatra where illegal logging has become out of control. In Tanjung Puting National Park where about 500 orang utans survive massive commercial illegal logging has destroyed huge areas of the Park and the timber baron behind much of the logging, Abdul Rasyid, has proven to be untouchable with his powerful corrupt military and political backers.

In a further highly significant and unprecedented move, Minister Marzuki Usman has appealed for support from ramin importing countries to prevent the import of Indonesian ramin. His ministry has written to the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Switzerland requesting that Indonesian ramin be placed on CITES Appendix 111 with a zero quota.

This will enable importing countries to use their domestic CITES legislation to seize Indonesian ramin and will come into effect in mid-July. "Indonesia's use of CITES is an appeal to the consumers to help Indonesia save its forests" said Julian Newman. "This act by Minister Marzuki Usman gives us real hope that he intends to tackle illegal logging with courage and determination. Major consumers like Europe, the USA, Japan and China now have to help Indonesia by stopping imports of ramin."

In the late 1990s the UK was the seventh largest importer of ramin from Indonesia, and the second biggest importer in Europe after Italy. EIA and Telapak expect that the UK CITES authority and the timber industry will assist Indonesia's efforts. Ramin is a hardwood found only in Indonesia and Malaysia. It is used for fine furniture, mouldings, snooker cues, futon beds, picture frames, window blinds and other high value products.

It is sold on the international market for up to US$1,000 making it one of the most valuable hardwood species. It is found in swamp forest which is rapidly disappearing and is home to many rare and endangered species. As well as Tanjung Puting, EIA and Telapak have documented illegal logging of ramin in the Sebangau River area of Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and Riau provinces. (Sumber : IEA International, 19 April 2001).